Tuesday, July 8, 2014

It's really not funny. We had a record breaking cold, and it felt, longer than ever winter. Went into Spring with a huge smile on my face, only to be greeted with colder than usual temperatures, and then at the end of June, record breaking rainfalls. Now don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful that not only were my house and outbuildings relatively unaffected, but I think the majority of my gardens will recover too. That is, providing we don't get a foot of golf ball sized hail next week. I should also mention, that this year was the first time in my entire life that I witnessed a funnel cloud. Yes, I had someone with me who can verify my story.

So, if I'm so grateful, why do I sound so whiny? I really thought that after surviving a winter like that, and not jumping ship, that Mother Nature would remember to take her Valium and dish out some milder, more appropriate weather. Weather that would allow us to forgive her the all out 5 month bitch-fest.

On a lighter note, aside from being worried just how bad it was going to get, watching my land transform into a lake, was rather beautiful. The power of it made me feel small and insignificant, which is really quite liberating. There was nothing to do but watch, wait and see what the next few hours would bring, and deal with it.

My darling husband, fantastic timing as always, was away at work, some 14 hour drive away. It really does seem he misses all the action out here.

Enough of that, here is the proof in photos. I should also mention, that aside from still being damp, everything around here is pretty much back to normal. I wish I could say the same for everyone else. Too many people are having to rip out their basements, and there are those who still cannot reach their homes. I hope the old saying, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" is true. If that is the case, then there are many folks gaining a new perspective on life. I spoke with a lady today from one of the areas hit hardest, and she said, "This sure has brought people together, and there is beauty in that.". Enough said. And I'll stop whining.

Both my kids had a lot of fun letting their imaginations run wild as the water built up. They even wanted
to build a raft. They were even more amazed when the water disappeared overnight. That's when
they forgave me for not letting them build a raft.

"My own private island!" It would have been really cool to have a raft to sail around one's own island.

This is the first day the creek started to overflow. June 29th. We were impressed. Prematurely.

This is 24 hours later. My garden was already looking pathetic. But how would it look if the water covered
it with several inches of water? It never did. The water started to recede the evening of the 30th. And I
slept soundly.

The water is inching its way into our formal yard. You can't see it, but there is an inch of water in all the
grass in the photo.

Standing back, we had no idea what we were looking at.

A little closer, and we discover a raft of ants trying to survive. They kept crawling over
each other and, it seemed they were taking turns to breathe. We couldn't help
but feel for the little creatures. They quickly rebuilt there homes when the
water receded.

A common sight all across South Eastern Saskatchewan and well into Manitoba.

I can honestly say I wasn't all that worried about the water reaching my newly built flower bed.

I was wrong. Not that worrying would have helped. I am happy to say, the African daisies that love
hot, dry weather are now starting to bloom!

This all disappeared overnight! And while I was wiping my brow, whispering, "Wow, that was close!" people in
lower places south of me were just starting to get the worst of it. All I keep hearing on the radio are stories
of people helping people, and lots of Thank-yous going out to neighboring communities. Appreciation and
gratitude are not what I'm used to hearing in my local news. As much destruction as I have seen, I have also in
equal amounts, if not more, seen the good in people brought to the surface.